We spearhead initiatives for policy advocacy and mutual accountability at the global, national, and regional levels to address power inequities. We ground multilateralism in equity.
The ultimate goal of MCLD is to bring community-led development to scale everywhere it is needed. We engage in a number of opportunities to advocate for inclusive, equitable governance, promoting devolution, and pushing for policy changes.
Inclusive Events
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Days
Advocacy Events and Platforms
UNGA 2024:
MCLD co-organized a side event at the UN General Assembly in September on Local Action, Global Accountability. We heard from funders about how they are living up to their commitments to locally-led development and from local actors on what real accountability looks like and what more is needed.
Shaping USAID’s 50% Metric
We co-organized an event on how USAID will measure their new 50% commitment, after which we invited participants and members of MCLD and Peace Direct partners to complete a survey on the 50% metric in English, French, and Spanish.
The School for Devolution and CLD
In March 2023, MCLD Kenya signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Makueni County government, Kenya to set up a School for CLD and Devolution in the county to train government functionaries, civil society, and community leaders from not just the county, but the entire region.
Current Initiatives
Shaping the Post-ODA World
How do we pave the pathway to a just, equitable, and sustainable post-ODA world? We address sticky issues from decolonization and locally led development to new organizational structures and funding flows, providing guidance and practice insights to bilaterals, multilaterals, INGOs, networks and funders. We also demystify the multilateral system for our members, facilitating their engagement in broader global dialogues like Financing For Development, World Social Summit and UN@80.
ACT (Active Citizenry, Thriving Democracy) Now
Under the ACT Now Initiative, we strengthen the government-citizen compact with a two pronged approach: our members organize partnerships, trainings, activities and forums at village, municipal, and district levels to i) support local governments to become responsive to their citizens, and ii) enable communities to collaborate with their elected governments to realize their own visions.
Reimagining Civil Society
Fighting shrinking civic space through narrative change while rethinking the role and structures in civil society. We do this by addressing misinformation, giving a platform to champions, and advocating to people, civil society and funders.
Systems Change
We are guided in this part of our work by the framework articulated by Kania, Kramer and Senge (2018) in The Water of Systems Change.